Restoran Char Siew Yoong — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

A Smoky Symphony of Sweet and Savory. Nestled in a bustling neighborhood, Char Siew Yoong restaurant is a haven for char siew aficionados. Stepping inside, the air is thick with the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat, a promise of the culinary delights to come.

Arriving at 10:25 AM, we found the restaurant already buzzing, a testament to its popularity. Though official opening was slated for 10:30 AM, the space was nearly three-quarters full, with a steady stream of patrons eager to secure a seat. By 11:00 AM, a considerable queue had formed, snaking its way outside.

The star of the show, of course, is the char siew. I opted for the classic, and it did not disappoint. The glistening, mahogany-hued slices boasted a perfect balance of lean meat and melt-in-your-mouth fat. The caramelization was exquisite, a delicate crispness giving way to a tender, juicy interior. The marinade was a masterclass in sweet and savory, with just the right hint of smokiness. You could taste the care and time invested in its preparation.

Beyond the char siew, the menu offered a solid selection of classic Cantonese dishes. The roasted pork (siew yuk) was another highlight, sporting a crackling, golden-brown skin and succulent meat. The accompanying rice was fluffy and fragrant, the perfect canvas for the rich, flavorful meats.

The accompanying sauces were spot-on. The chili sauce packed a punch, cutting through the richness of the meat, while the sweet, syrupy sauce added another layer of complexity.

The stewed pork knuckle, with its intriguing selection of three soups served alongside the char siew rice, remained untasted on this occasion. Similarly, the braised pork and steam kampung chicken eluded me, hinting at the breadth of culinary delights yet to be discovered. A compelling reason to return.

The atmosphere was casual and bustling, typical of a well-loved local eatery. Service was efficient, though not overly chatty, allowing the food to take center stage. Prices were reasonable, reflecting the generous portions and quality ingredients.

Verdict:

Restoran Char Siew Yoong delivers a truly memorable char siew experience. It's a place where the focus is on the food, and they execute it brilliantly. If you're craving authentic, expertly prepared Cantonese roast meats, this is a must-visit. While the ambiance is simple, the food speaks volumes. I'd happily return for another plate of that glorious char siew.

Rating:...

This place needs almost no introduction when it comes to serving one of the best char siew in KL. With a well established name that is evident from the number of patrons who queue and dine here, it is no surprise that one will have to practise some patience if they arrive during lunch hours. I would suggest to be here by 11am to beat the hungry lunch crowd. Parking is also a challenge here so I suggest that you park in the open car parking space nearby and just pay the fees to save you the hassle. That's what we did and thankfully we were also able to get a table rather quick. We ordered their famous char siew together with siew yoke and a bowl of their old melon soup. I wanted to sample their steamed chicken but dissapointingly was told that they only serve in minimum portion of 1/2 a chicken. The way it works here is to pay up at the counter after you place your order before they serve your food. Our orders came quite swiftly after making the payment. The char siew looked glisteningly scrumptious and the ratio of fat and meat was excellent. Meat wasn't dry and the fat had that melt in your mouth texture. The char siew marination was sweet but wasn't overly done so it doesn't overpower your palate. The little charred edges also added that nice crisp and smokiness to every bite. Equally delicious was their siew yoke and I enjoyed the crispy thin skin. The soup was average in my opinion and so was the rice. However, I was surprised with how much I liked their chilli sauce. The strong garlicky punch in combination with the spicy and tangy elements in a beautiful consistency make for a very appetising condiment to go...

Good Char Siew Worth Trying (But Manage Your Expectations)

After seeing this place on IG and with my sister craving char siew, we decided to stop by despite having just eaten at ICC Pudu. Parking was tricky, so we opted for takeaway - my brother waited in the car while we joined the queue.

The ordering process was a bit confusing at first. From what I gathered from other customers in line (this was my first visit), there are actually two separate queues: the right line is for dine-in seating, while the left line is for both ordering and takeaway. Even if you get a table from the right queue, you still need to join the left line to actually place your order.

While waiting, we noticed their char siew looked really good - nicely caramelized with that signature glossy finish. We also spotted what appeared to be bak kwa-style bacon air-drying on nearby racks (looked amazing, though we were too full to try it this time).

We ordered two portions of their signature "glass" char siew (my sister's main craving). The cuts were excellent - perfect fat-to-lean ratio with beautiful marbling. The flavor was good, though if I'm being completely honest, not quite as mind-blowing as some reviews suggested. The glaze was tasty but maybe missing that extra "wow" factor compared to the absolute best char siew I've had (though taste is always subjective!).

Final Thoughts: Quality char siew worth trying (4/5) Queue system could be better signed/more intuitive Would recommend for the meat quality alone Might return to try their bacon on...